SRINAGAR: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday urged the Centre to speak out over reported killings and alleged human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying New Delhi could not remain silent if it considered the territory an integral part of India.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah said he had approached United Nations human rights mechanisms as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the External Affairs Minister, urging them to take note of the situation in PoK and seek intervention.
“I have requested the United Nations Human Rights Commission to go there, assess the situation and try to resolve the problems. I have also appealed to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister,” he said.
Abdullah questioned the Centre’s position on PoK, saying that while the government repeatedly described the region as part of India, it had not publicly addressed reports of killings and alleged rights violations there.
“They keep saying PoK is our part. If it is your part, then why don’t you speak about what is happening there? Why don’t you say the killings should stop? I have not heard any statement from them,” he said.
On the ongoing student-led protests in Jammu and Kashmir, the NC president warned that the agitation would continue if the authorities failed to fulfil the assurances given to the protesters.
“If the promises made to them are not fulfilled and instead they are met with FIRs, arrests and harassment, this movement will continue. The students have risen and, God willing, they will carry it forward,” Abdullah said.
He also raised concern over drug abuse among young people in Jammu and Kashmir and identified unemployment as one of the region’s major challenges.
Abdullah further criticised what he described as a security crackdown following the recent incident in Anantnag, claiming that thousands of people had been detained and several houses demolished. He urged the government to avoid actions that could deepen public alienation.
The NC president’s remarks came amid continuing political and social concerns in Jammu and Kashmir, with Abdullah calling for greater attention to issues ranging from reported human rights violations in PoK to unemployment, drug abuse and the handling of student protests.
